Saltwater Sounds Weekly: Ready for Summer
Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. This is where I share all that’s been happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what’s to come and the inspiration I have found from other bloggers around the web.
This and That…
Happy Sunday and welcome to the blog.
It’s been a busy week. I shared part 1 of my summer home tour. It was so fun to be part of a 30 blogger tour hop…talk about inspiration! My cottage living room was featured this week.
And there’s more to share next week with part 2. I’ll be taking you through the kitchen, the garden, and my refreshed office space. Here’s a sneak peek of the kitchen above.
If I’m really productive I may be able to get a couple of bedrooms into the mix, but don’t hold me to it.
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I’m still working on getting some blog posts written about our 3 week trip to Europe. So hold tight for some great views of Italy and Greece.
A Walk in the Garden
We’ve seen quite a bit of rain and colder than normal temperatures for months now. Sometimes it seems hard to believe that summer is just a couple of weeks away.
I know that many reading this wish they had rain in their forecast. It has made everything grow tall and the garden is the most beautiful color of green.
The garden is just DIFFERENT this year. The flower blooms are slow to come. Most of our peonies haven’t even bloomed yet which is very unusual.
So…I’ve been planting more annuals and herbs in my containers to help get some color in the garden.
The lavender and chives are both beautiful shades of purple.
I’m so glad I planted different varieties of allium last fall. They have really helped add interest to the cottage garden as well.
Jupiter’s Beard and lavender are blooming in front of the greenhouse right now.
Roses would be here too except the deer had quite a feast while we were away for 3 weeks.
The butterflies are out and loving the Jupiter’s Beard.
Even though this flower is blooming, the pictures from last year show that there were twice as many blooms.
This patio space used to be a seating area but I added a table this year so we could enjoy a meal or too here.
I see a tablescape or two here in my future.
Fun news…We just ordered a sectional sofa for the deck and it should be here before the 4th of July. I can’t wait to show it to you.
Ollie is ready for some summer sun!
What’s Happening at Shiplap and Shells…
Here are last week’s blog posts and all that’s been happening at Shiplap and Shells.
Simple Summer Beach Cottage Home Tour and Decorating Ideas (Part 1)
Looking for some simple ways to bring those summer vibes to your home? Today I’ll take you on a tour of my 1920 beach cottage and share some summer decorating ideas that will not only brighten up your home quickly but are easy to add to your existing decor mix.
How a Simple Vintage Galvanized Bucket Can Make the Perfect Flower Container
Looking for a fun and different way to show off your flowers both inside and outdoors? Come see how using a simple vintage galvanized bucket can be a perfect container for your beautiful blooms.
Coming Your Way:
- 10 Ways to Extend Your Vase Life
- Managing Weeds in the Garden
- Summer Home Tour Part 2
What would you like to see on my blog? Please leave me a comment and let me know.
My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web…
I just met a new friend on the summer home tour blog hop this week. Erica from Designing Vibes blew my socks off with her gorgeous style. Loved her home all decked out for summer.
Are you ready for some summer ambiance? Courtney from French Country Cottage shares how to create a charming backyard fire pit area.
I don’t think I’ve kept it a secret from any of you, but Tieghan from Half-Baked Harvest is one of my very favorite food bloggers. And with good reason! Check out her amazing ice cream sandwiches with a berry-filled twist.
More Inspiration
This restored Victorian house in Los Angeles.
These healthy breakfast ideas.
How to host a book club.
This Victorian country home.
Simple summer entryway decor ideas.
Update your floor this way.
10 easy summer appetizers.
This portfolio.
This DIY patriotic wreath.
Grilled chicken recipes for summer.
This sunny summer kitchen refresh.
An Oldie But a Goodie
Celebrate Summer Home Tour with Coastal Cottage Touches
I’d love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and let me know what you’d like to see on the blog! Thank you for being here.
Until next time,
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,
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Let’s Connect on Social Media
- Follow me @shiplapandshells on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook
- Join my Facebook Gardening Tips & Tricks Group!
Kim, you always have such beautiful and inspiring posts Kim, thank you for sharing. The garden is looking fabulous.
XO
Wendy
Thank you so much, Wendy. You are so sweet.
Kim, it’s impossible to tire of looking at your gorgeous home … inside and out. I’m excited for upcoming posts on your 3 week European adventure. Have a wonderful week! xo
Thank you so much, Juliet. I can’t wait to get those blog posts published. So many great pics.
Kim, your home is always such a beautiful inspiration inside and out! I’m so sorry to hear about the deer eating your roses…but I am sure that wonderful vacation made up for it! I can’t wait to read all about your trip! Thanks for sharing my book club post! Have the best week friend!
Thank you so much, Kim.
I love the picture of you living your best life in the gondola!!! I can’t wait to hear more about your trip! It’s been a weird Spring out here too. My bloom times are all thrown off and things that used to all bloom together are scattered this year. My first peony just opened the other day so they are a couple of weeks off too.
Thanks again for sharing my wreath! I’m going to go check out Erica’s site…her profile pic is #goals!!! Have a fantastic week friend!!
Thanks, Jennifer. The gondola was so much fun!
Kim, it’s always so joyful to see your beautiful home and garden. Isn’t gardening so unpredictable? This year I am getting a bumper crop of vegetables, yet not so much last year. Go figure. Thank you for featuring my stenciled floors~you are a good friend! I hope you are feeling better and I look forward to seeing more of your home and hearing about your trip!
I love your style! Look forward to more
Thank you so much, Judy!
Yes, the garden is most unpredictable. I am feeling better, thank you, my friend.
Yes, the garden is so incredibly unpredictable Mary. This has been the weirdest year ever! I have spring dogwoods blooming at the same time as dahlias.
I can’t believe how beautiful everything looks with you being away so much. Feel better soon Kim?
I picked a good time to go. Nothing really grew much while I was gone. Thanks, Ann.
You house and garden are so beautiful Kim! Thanks for sharing it all with us, and I can’t wait to hear more about your trip! Ollie looks happy that you’re home! 🙂 Hope you stay dry this weekend!
It’s been quite a couple of months, hasn’t it? I’m ready for a little bit of warmth! The boys are very happy that we’re home. Thank you, Barbara.
Hi Kim! I love that first photo of your living room. Don’t think I have ever seen that angle before! Have a great day!
Thank you, Molly. I think that’s the first time I shot the living room from that angle. Love your new blog by the way.
I so appreciate your long views of the living rooms. I cannot understand why bloggers often focus in on a table, or a
vase and keep repeating the same picture over and over. And thank you for all the tips on how to get rid of weeds.
With my arthritis it is difficult to pull them out because I get too sore to keep bending. I know I should carry around my little chair to sit on but that is always so time consuming. I always neglect to put on my garden gloves when I go out to cut flowers and inevitably there are weeds that I MUST pull out and then my hands, nails are a dirty mess….
Love your green thumb – your gardens are unbelievable !!
Thank you, Joan. I appreciate the compliment. I do like sharing the full room more than the close-ups. I too, have arthritis so I understand exactly what you are going through. I actually can’t bend or squat anymore. I find it easier to sit on the ground and scoot myself to the next spot, even though I look pretty silly doing it. And then I lift myself up with the Home Depot bucket. I have it down to a science. Oh, and yes, I ALWAYS have dirty nails. It’s a sign of a good gardener. Am I right?
Kim,
It’s been cooler in the south as well. I’m so looking forward to your trip post.
Thank you, Rachel. I can’t wait to share them with you.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of the outside of your lovely home, so pretty! I like how you’ve used stones instead of much, as we have to frequently replace mulch due to wind and rain washing it out. Not to mention our dog digging in it to find a cool place to lay in the summer, lol! This looks so nice! Look forward to seeing photos of your fabulous trip!
Thank you, Vicki. I’m glad you like the stones. They work so well with containers and yes, no holes from digging dogs! Hopefully, I’ll have some posts about the trip in the next week or so. Can’t wait to share them.
Thank you so much for the feature, Kim! I am so happy our paths crossed. You have such a great eye. 🙂
It was my pleasure, Erica. I am in love with your home.
I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures on the trip! Garden looks gorgeous! Thank you for sharing my weed killer recipe!
Thank you, Stacy. Can’t wait for the summer flowers to start blooming.